Someone please throw me a towel

[Ian Cassell]

Long-billed dowitcher

Canon 7D
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L HH
1/4000 sec f/8 ISO 800

Crop for composition, sharpening in CS5

I have mixed feelings ... I was disappointed that the nictitating membrane was covering the eye, but then again it makes sense that it would be as he was splattering water all over.

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the bathing pose although I wish eye was open and wings were fully extended. A lower shooting angle would have been ideal. BG and shaded areas can use some NR.

TFS

[Joe Senzatimore]

Fine light and wonderful color. Maybe a bit off the top. Otherwise comp. is good.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Ditto Arash, and I'll add that the image needs some CCW rotation. I'm pretty sure that is the actual eye-lid that is shut rather than the nictitating membrane. Good quality to the light.